Town growth is a key issue in Coeymans supervisor race

Published 4:55 pm, Thursday, October 27, 2011

COEYMANS -- According to U.S. census data, the population of Coeymans has shrunk by almost 10 percent in recent years.

How to draw more families and businesses into the small riverside town is a core issue in this year's race for Coeymans Town Supervisor.

"We have to market our town aggressively," said Town Supervisor James Youmans. The 45-year-old incumbent was born and raised in Coeymans and has lived in the town of 7,400 his entire life.

Youmans, a Democrat, took over the leadership role in 2010 after the town supervisor at the time, Henry Traver, was arrested on arson charged for allegedly burning his house down in 2008. Traver was not town supervisor at the time of the fire. Traver was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation, according to Albany County Court records.

Youmans and his Republican challenger, Stephen Flach, both said the town has moved on and that they are ready and well qualified to help their hometown grow.

"Our politicians have lost the meaning of what a public servant is," said Flach, a 44-year-old father of two who is running for public office for the first time. "I feel like I can work with people in the town. I feel like I have the personality to work with anyone."

More Information

Coeymans Town Supervisor

Incumbent: James Youmans, Democrat. Born and raised in Coeymans; attended Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk High School; 45 years old; married, father of two; works for General Motors.

Challenger: Stephen Flach, Republican. Born and raised in Coeymans; attended Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk High School; 44 years old; married, father of two; operates his own excavation business in town.

Job salary: $30,000

Term: 2 years

Flach is a graduate of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School and runs a small self-owned excavation business in town. Flach said he would focus building more businesses in the town and keeping residents from traveling outside Coeymans

"People need to buy locally," Flach said. "We need to focus on more competitive prices within our neighborhood to help keep business in Coeymans growing."

Youmans said a starting point to help bring more families into Coeymans would be revamping the town's website. "We should have a section of our website that would call out to potential homeowners, people looking to relocate, and let them know what a warm welcoming community this is," Youmans said.

Youmans, who works for General Motors, said he would also reach out to real estate agents who could help draw families looking to buy a home.

Dozens of homes rest along the river's banks, a few of which were damaged so badly that homeowners do not plan to return, Youmans said.

Flood damage coupled with the new 2 percent property tax cap has made piecing together a town budget difficult, said Youmans. He said voter's should trust that he is the right person to help put together a sustainable budget and help the town grow.

"I have the experience and the vision to lead our town," Youmans said.

Flach countered that people shouldn't think that his inexperience in public office means he won't do a good job. "I'm the guy next door who wants to make a difference," Flach said.